Life, Liberty, Property, and My Personal Supreme Court Seat

“No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.” – Fifth Amendment (emphasis added)

I see a whole lot of conservatives suddenly interested in due process rights, in this case of course for Mr. Kavanaugh. What’s he being deprived of? Life, liberty, or property?

Spoiler! None of the above. I agree with the folks at Reason here that due process is a fundamentally important part of the American system, which does extend beyond criminal law. However, the Supreme Court nomination process is inherently political. Let us stop pretending otherwise.